Risevoic
Physical Therapist - Full-time - $5K Sign-On Bonus
Company : Select Medical
Location : Des Moines, IA, 50314-2610
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 14 January 2026
Overview
Position: Physical Therapist (PT)
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Schedule: Full-time - Monday to FridayCompensation: $31 to $50 per hour
Sign-On Bonus: $5,000
Select Specialty Hospital is a critical illness recovery hospital committed to providing world-class inpatient post-ICU services to chronic, critically ill patients who require extended healing and recovery. We help patients during some of the most vulnerable, painful moments of their lives – and Physical Therapists (PT) play a central role in providing compassionate, excellent treatment every step of the way.
Why Join Us:
- Start Strong: Extensive and thorough Physical Therapist (PT) orientation program to ensure a smooth transition into our setting.
- Advance Your Career: Tuition reimbursement, and continuing education opportunities.
- Elevate Your Skills: Clinical ladder program.
- Ease the Burden: Student debt benefit program.
- Your Health Matters: Comprehensive medical/RX, health, vision, and dental plan offerings
- Recharge & Refresh: Generous PTO to maintain a healthy work-life balance
- Invest in Your Future: Company-matching 401(k) retirement plan, as well as life and disability protection
- Your Impact Matters: Join a team of over 44,000 nationwide committed to providing exceptional care.
Responsibilities
- Performing initial and ongoing systematic patient assessment.
- Promoting continuous quality improvement.
- Teaching and counseling patients/families.
- Setting goals and developing treatment plans.
- Working cooperatively to identify and solve patient-specific and facility-wide needs.
- Participating in discharge planning for each patient, including placement, patient/family education and adaptive equipment.
- Supervising Physical Therapy Assistants, as well as supervising PT and PTA students.
- Conducting individual patient therapy regimens.
- Monitoring patient's response to treatment and modifying treatment during sessions, as needed.
- Completing appropriate documentation according to department policies and procedures.
- Participating in departmental, hospital, and community continuing education seminars and in-services.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Current state licensure as a Physical Therapist required.
- Certified BLS or completion in first 90 days of employment required.
Additional Data
Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans
Related Jobs
Bettendorf, IA
Top trending job titles hiring now
Popular Searches for Physical Therapist
Frequently asked questions
Des Moines has a growing demand for physical therapists, fueled by an aging population and expanded healthcare services. However, competition remains moderate with many facilities seeking skilled PTs, making it a favorable environment for job seekers, especially those with specialized certifications or experience in critical illness recovery.
Beyond the mandatory state licensure, Iowa hospitals often value BLS certification and encourage continuing education in specialized rehab techniques. Certifications in post-ICU care or neurological rehab can enhance employability within regional specialty hospitals.
In this setting, therapists must skillfully manage chronic, critically ill patients requiring extended recovery, often coordinating complex care plans. Balancing compassionate patient interaction with rigorous documentation and interdisciplinary collaboration demands both clinical expertise and emotional resilience.
Days often involve detailed patient assessments, designing tailored therapy plans, and monitoring progress. Therapists also supervise assistants, educate families, and participate in discharge planning. The role combines hands-on treatment with administrative and collaborative duties to optimize patient recovery.
Select Medical emphasizes a strong orientation, career advancement through tuition reimbursement, and a clinical ladder program. Their commitment to comprehensive benefits and a supportive network of 44,000 professionals sets a distinct standard for professional growth and work-life balance.
Yes, they provide a $5,000 sign-on bonus to attract top talent. This, combined with student debt benefits and extensive orientation, underscores their investment in new hires’ success and retention within the specialized rehab environment.
The $31 to $50 hourly rate aligns well with regional averages for experienced therapists in specialty hospitals. Entry-level PTs may start near the lower end, while those with advanced skills or certifications can command rates closer to $50, reflecting both local demand and specialty care complexity.
Mastering patient assessment, adaptive equipment knowledge, and patient-family counseling are critical. Additionally, skills in interdisciplinary communication and flexible treatment planning tailored to post-ICU recovery significantly enhance effectiveness in this specialized field.
Full-time positions dominate in hospital-based settings like Select Medical, where continuity of care is vital. However, per diem and part-time opportunities exist, especially within outpatient clinics, offering flexibility but often fewer benefits and less integration into specialized care teams.
Select Medical encourages upward mobility through a clinical ladder program and continuing education support. This structure allows therapists to expand their expertise, take on mentorship roles, and potentially transition into leadership positions within the hospital network.